Skills Diplomas
By TJ (26-09-2007)
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Schools Minister Jim Knight said Diplomas provided the right mix of practical and academic learning which was crucial in meeting the challenge of a future where the number of unskilled jobs will shrink dramatically and there will be a higher demand for skilled professionals.
Speaking at a major conference on Diplomas Schools Minister Jim Knight said:
"In future, young people will need the mix of academic and practical skills the Diploma delivers.
"By 2020, estimates suggest there will only be 600,000 unskilled people left in work in this country – whereas there will be 4.6 million more highly skilled jobs to fill. We are at the starting line of a global skills race which British businesses, universities and colleges must win – and Diplomas will play a key role.
"There is a growing consensus among employers, universities and the broader education community that diplomas are going to make a real difference.
"These creative, innovative qualifications are unique in overcoming the artificial and unhelpful divide between academic and practical learning.
"Our challenge now is to ensure that young people themselves, as well as their parents, also share in the enthusiasm and excitement, understand the new opportunities on offer, and feel confident that choosing a diploma will help them fulfil their ambitions."
More than 40,000 students are expected to take the Diploma when the first five courses – Construction and the Built Environment; Creative and Media; Society, Health and Development; Engineering; and Information technology – go live in September 2008.
Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) Director of Qualification Reform Geoff Fieldsend said: "The launch of these first five Diplomas signals an unprecedented opportunity for students and employers. Diplomas students will gain insight, learning and skills into industry-related subjects and employers will help better prepare students for higher education and for the workplace.
"The development of the Diploma follows much hard work with our partner organisations and Sector Skills Councils to set out the essential knowledge, understanding and skills that employers need."
Speaking at a major conference on Diplomas Schools Minister Jim Knight said:
"In future, young people will need the mix of academic and practical skills the Diploma delivers.
"By 2020, estimates suggest there will only be 600,000 unskilled people left in work in this country – whereas there will be 4.6 million more highly skilled jobs to fill. We are at the starting line of a global skills race which British businesses, universities and colleges must win – and Diplomas will play a key role.
"There is a growing consensus among employers, universities and the broader education community that diplomas are going to make a real difference.
"These creative, innovative qualifications are unique in overcoming the artificial and unhelpful divide between academic and practical learning.
"Our challenge now is to ensure that young people themselves, as well as their parents, also share in the enthusiasm and excitement, understand the new opportunities on offer, and feel confident that choosing a diploma will help them fulfil their ambitions."
More than 40,000 students are expected to take the Diploma when the first five courses – Construction and the Built Environment; Creative and Media; Society, Health and Development; Engineering; and Information technology – go live in September 2008.
Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) Director of Qualification Reform Geoff Fieldsend said: "The launch of these first five Diplomas signals an unprecedented opportunity for students and employers. Diplomas students will gain insight, learning and skills into industry-related subjects and employers will help better prepare students for higher education and for the workplace.
"The development of the Diploma follows much hard work with our partner organisations and Sector Skills Councils to set out the essential knowledge, understanding and skills that employers need."
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